A Quarter of a Century!

Wednesday will be my 25th birthday!!  Whew!!  most often i don't feel my age.  but some days i do.  those are the days i'm; paying bills, worrying, exhausted, trying to plan for the future, cleaning the house. :)  you know, grown up things.

but at the same time, i feel that I've really done some good growing up this past year.  i feel more comfortable in myself, and with the fact that i'm growing up.  yes i still get fears of, ohhh am i waiting to long to start having kids???  Will we ever be able to put money in our savings?  what jobs will we have in the future? will we get to buy a house?  what kind of vehicle will we get when we do start a family?  ....where is my cell phone? hahaha i can hear it ringing but have no idea where it is..hahah that's random.

anyways. 25 years, a quarter of a century.  how to ring it in?

well Jordan and i started on Saturday! :) birthday WEEK i guess :)  we went and watched RANGO in theaters. fun to go to the movies and an entertaining flick.

(fun fact, 9 times out of 10 if we are going to the theater, it's for a cartoon)

then we went shopping!!! Kohls - got 3 shirts for me, then old navy - 3 shirts for jordan, a tank and a pair of pants for work for me, pac sun had an awesome dark green spring jacket on sale for $15 that i loved and got! then to jc penny, i'm very proud of this one.  a $40 pair of pants and a $20 shirt...for......drum roll!! $22!! i love coupons and helpful checkout folks :)

then we went to Barnes and noble to kill time before our dinner reservations.  Jordan went in to paroose while i stayed in the car and read my newest dragon book!! part of a series. NERD there i said it.  i LOVE fantasy books that involve dragons, and mystical lands, new worlds, odd creatures, adventures. i dunno why i just love it :)

Sooo then we had dinner at Sullivan's steak house - courtesy of jake.

we had to wait maybe 10 min for our table, enjoying the live jazz band in the adjacent bar as we waited. SO COOL!  then we were seated.  the only thing i didn't enjoy was the scantily short skirts all the girls wore. NO BENDING OVER!!

Jordan was ecstatic when i said he could get the 24 oz porter house.  i got an absolutely amazing flaminyon. how do you spell that.. ugh. we ordered mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. ya i know mac and cheese at an upscale restaurant?  what!! that's what i said. but we ended up fighting over it. sooooooo unbelievably good!!  the meal was great, there were interesting and slightly drunk people to watch to entertain between convos. we had alot of fun and loved the food. :)

Jordan and i really had a fun day.  Wednesday will be my birthday, the evening will include amazing pie from Northstar bakery and delicious ice cream from matanuska creamery!! can't wait :)

now i just have to get back in the gym!

St. Patty's Day in Dublin

Overwhelming...that's how I'd discribe my St. Patty's Day in Dublin.

Over half a million people packed into downtown dublin to see the parade and to party. I'd say 80% were smoking and a large percentage were drunk before dinner.  We all were just exhausted from getting up at 4am to get to dublin.  that plus trying to stay together and do some souvenir shopping was just stressful!  

One of my favorite parts of the experience was this guy who was doing a twist on the human statue thing.  Instead of being painted like a statue he had dressed up and did his hair so that it looked like he was walking into the wind, while standing still.  He was soooo impressive! I stood there just amazed and watched.  Whenever people put money in his jar he'd suddenly look at them.  sooo impressive!  I should have got a video but i was just too in awe.

Getting a ride via bus system back to the hotel was a trick.  thousands trying to get out of downtown and trying to get our whole group on a bus, we had to wait for 3 buses before we got on, and even the one we got on was packed.  Jordan had to blockout to keep a group of guys from cutting in front of us.

getting back to the hotel was an answer to prayer for me.   I was sooo tired and just needed to relax.  Jeremy had unknowingly booked  a hotel near the airport but also in the Dublin "ghetto" so we stayed in the hotel and the kids in their rooms.  I reveled in my first real, long, hot shower since we got there and then all of the leaders had dessert and hung out until bedtime.  I was the first to  bed and apparently i demanded "WHO GOES THERE!" in my sleep upon my roomies coming to bed. :)  

All in all i was so ready and happy to go home.  I woke up friday feeling rested and ready for the epic trip back home.  Feeling way better but not quite 100%.  The flights back seemed to go quicker, or maybe i was just way more exhuasted and was able to sleep more on the flights.  The trip back was thankfully quiet uneventful  other than me getting a halarious mix of exhuastion and hyperness that resulted in everyone's great entertainment.  It's a bummer i hadn't been feeling better the whole trip. 

But all in all - God used us greatly.  We were able to touch lives.  we've had word that the baker, Steven is really searching and askign questions about God.  We were able to bless both the churches financially.  We were told that we were one of the best missions teams that had visited those churches.  I know that this was a challenge and a great growth opportunity for Jordan and I.  We are so glad we were able to go and able to bond with the other leaders and kids on the trip.  We are soo glad we got to go!

Wednesday in Ireland recap

Wednesday was a day spent in prayer for the numerous counties of Ireland and then Wednesday night we split into 2 groups and went to the 2 different home churches. Our group went to the Castle bar home church in the pastor's home.  it was fun to get to know some of the church members.  It was tough since we were all just whooped.  We had 3 of the girls give short testimonies.  it was an awesome opportunity for them.  Most of our crew had never given a testimony in front of a group before.  It was awesome opportunities for both the groups.

2 of the things that really stuck with me from wed night was firstly, a picture/word that the castlebar church's secratary shared with us.  She said that we were the pebbles that fell into a clear glass surfaced lake and we began a ripple effect.  it was really encouraging to me because i had been asking God what my purpose was in being on that trip.  And through her word for us really made me realize that even the smallest act, smile, word, or encouragement can start the change in someone's life.

the other thing was talkign with this Irish guy that was there.  i learned that not only do Irish people have gift of gab or "swallowed/kissed the blarney stone", but they disregard personal space.  They have a tendancy to get really close to you when they talk.  It was hysterical actually for me. :)  another odd thing has been that alot of the people we meet aren't actually Irish.  many are immigrants that have moved to ireland from all kinds of places.  It was very interesting.

Ireland - Day....8?

Last night we where invited by a young couple to their home for dinner.  This past Sunday was their first at the  Westport church and they were excited to have us over.  all 16 of us!!!  Jenna is the sweetest most outgoing woman and her husband steven is a FABULOUS baker we found out, they also have a son named Lewis and a daughter named Imogen.  they moved here from england so they could live in the country and have a farm.  they had pigs and cows and chickens and we ate their produce!!  Their home was humble and they definately were not rich monetarily.  but they were so genuinely excited to have us over and to feed us and send the leftovers home with us.  Steven had been baking all day and we had incredible beer bread, chocolate cake, mincemeat pie, apple toffee cake and all sorts of yummy stuff.  we were all sooo impressed by the food.  and on the way home we got to talking about how we wish we could be more like them.  not worrying about the state of our home or how meager our offerings are, but instead welcoming people in with genuine excitement and the desire to bless.  Even in my sickly state i was able to gleen from those incredible people.  I truly hope God blesses them greatly.

today we did some more street ministry and prayer and tonight off to home church.  tonight a majority of the kids will give their testimonies and are nervious.  i'm excited to see them step out of their comfort zones a bit more.

then tomorrow extrememly early we head to Dublin to see the sights before the craziness of St. Patricks day erupts.  This is a major holiday and rightfully so, 4 day weekend nationally!  We are hoping to find jordan a neat coat.  we spend a few hours today looking for one, but he's a big guy even here!

Don't get sick in Ireland.

Ireland is a neat place. It's green, really green. Ireland is beautiful, even in the almost constant rain. It brings out this urge in me to swing a sword and flail a mace. To raise my shield to my enemies and bring down my doom to cleave them asunder. Until I start throwing up. Day 1 started out great, I helped Jeremy Cotton navigate out to Castlebar were we set up camp. The next day I woke up feeling just great, I ate a bowl of oatmeal and a banana. About an hour later I lost the bowl of oatmeal and banana. I spent most of my second day in Ireland either on the toilet or passed out. Much to wife's discontent I did almost nothing with our group except a small walk around town, after which I promptly returned to the comfort of my porcelain throne and my sleeping bag. As I lay looking up at the ceiling I began to recall the tropical countries I have been to. Specifically the ones that people had given me horror story after horror story of horrendous food with debilitating aftereffects. I have enjoyed my share of that food on missions trips but without any of the problems. Now here I was laying in Ireland dealing with those problems that I had avoided. While this was not a food related sickness I have vowed for the foreseeable future to not eat oatmeal or fish and chips. I had this same problem when I was about 13 and I got the flu right after eating chinese food. I didn't touch the stuff for about 6 months.
But now I feel healthy again. Thanks to my wonderfully designed immune system and the prayers of so many I find myself riding through the Irish country side praying for people and day dreaming about living in castles while fighting off roving hordes of orks and such. I recommend that everybody visit Ireland. But leave the flu at home.

Ireland - Day 5

Today - MOnday

We went to Ashford Castle near the town of Cong.  The castle was huge!!! It's a functioning hotel so we only got to see bits of it inside but the outside was amazing and such extensive grounds!!!  just absolutley amazing views and gardens.  Jordan and I went exploring with Celena and Chrystal and it was just a ball.  there was all sorts of walks and sitting gardens that i could just picture elizabeth bennette walking down.  or us all dressed up in hoop skirts and taking a stroll with our betroths! :)  it was a bawl!!  IT reminded me alot of the biltmore estate.  although the actual building was more impressive at biltmore, the grounds were better at AShford.  they had a falcony school that we got to see from a far.  so we got to see all sorts of sights, the and the town of cong all where the john wayne movie "Quiet Man" was filmed.  I'll have to go home and watch it now so i can say, i've been there and there!

Well the climate here is so damp and i've been chilled repeatedly and last night it got to me.  i've been struggling with a bad cold today.  but i was still able to enjoy the day.  God is so faithful and my husband is so caring.  He takes just incredible care of me.

We've been hanging out with chrystal and celena (the twins) alot and we've really enjoyed them.  the 2 both have incredible voices and they know ALL the disney songs and will sing them in unison and in harmony and ti's just a ball!  we've been having a blast with them. 

it's been such a challenge for me being with so many girls!!  it hasn't been since college that i've been around so many girls!!  it is quite humorous how foriegn their behavior is to me.  But they are all sweet and still young. :) 

I've been keeping a good journal so that i can be prepared the next time we come here and for tips for anyone esle coming over.  there are so many unique things about this place.  the houses and archetecture are just amazing. everything is either brick or concrete and they keep all buildings and homes quite chilly due to utilities cost.  but they make up for it with keeping shoes on and lots of tea and coffee.  the people here are incredibly sweet and so talkative!  As pator PEter said, the Irish talk in a spiral/circle eventually getting to the point.  So conversations are entertaining to say the least.  everyone is so warm and welcoming and they say "lovely" and "brilliant" all the time. 

this trip has been quite different in comparison to any other missions trip i've been on.  i really feel that God has used this trip alot as gifts to us and opening us up to experiences and such.  the trip has definately had its challenges but there have been so many moments that i just burst with happiness.  Jordan too has been so happy here.  He's been laughing all the time and joking and just enjoying himself and everyone around.  I hadn't realized how hard his job is on him and how it can suck the fun out of him.  it's so refreshing to see and hear him laugh and enjoy himself.  again, an incredible gift from God.

We are about 1/2 way through the trip, and we are blessed.  Pray for me to get better and for Holly as well.  We are both struggling with colds.  Thanks for all the support and prayers!!

Ireland - Day 3

Yesterday, Saturday, we got to take part in a ocean water baptism.  It was such an amazing setting.   Just at the foot of Crough Patrick - a famous mountain that St. Patrick climbed to fast and pray for the salvation of Ireland - on a beautiful beach with the mountains behind and the beautiful sea in front.  About 30-40 people came and 4 people - 2 couples - were being baptized.  They were given the opportunity to give a short testimony before hand and they blew me away.  This church is so young and full of new christians.  it blew me away to hear their testimonies, even in short.  they kept talking about how being baptized really was burying their old selves and coming up new, with a new hope and new life.  just amazing and humbling to take part in.

i led a few worship songs from guitar and just as we were finishing the sun burst through the clouds and warmed us all up.  it really felt like God's glory showed up to revel in what was happening.  it was just awesome!  

today was sunday and a great day.  We had lunch at a pub with a wonderful lunch special - roast beef, mashed potatoes, the worlds best gravy, broccoli in a cream sauce, and fries!!  it was absolutely delicious.  the pub atmosphere (no drunks at that time so we were good :) ) was so amazing.  dark red and earth tones and amazing wood on the walls and ceiling, and the comfy booths and rugby on the teli.  it was so relaxing and wonderful. then on the walk back to the church we stopped a corner sweet shop and gift shop near the church.  they had about 100 containers of all sorts of candy!!!  it was anything you can think of, raspberry fizzies, bon bons licorice, suckers, just anything!! i really felt like i was in willy wonkas!!  the shop owners were great too.  then i found a just beautiful scarf for my souvinier.  it was just a gift from God.  I've been so tired and out of sorts because of it, that i really needed the pick me up and God provided these wonderful expereinces.

we did the worship service today and it was so fun.  it was so great to provide the type of worship we bring to folks who don't get it very often.  they were all so kind and excited.  it's been so long since i last played or sang, my fingers still hurt and my throat has been hurting all day.  so i'm hoping a good sleep will bring me back.

i've been so proud of our team.  the first few days were a struggle but they all are such incredible kids.  Chrystal and Celena today on the drive sang all sorts of disney songs, they knew all the words and they'd harmonize and sing stereo!! it was such a ball!

tomorrow we are going to visit a castle so looking forward to that and then tomorrow night we help with a kids night so that should be really fun!!  Love you all!

- Rachel

Ireland - day 1

it's been a wet and cold but incredible trip already!  of course the whole getting here portion was an incredible challenge.  but we made it.  the only bummer thing is jordan came down with something and has spent most of the 1st day in bed or in the bathroom with some flu bug which i am praying and believing will only be a 24 hr fluke.

today we got to go for a long scenic drive that ended at an incredible overlook from a high point. we got to enjoy the rain and wind as we looked along the coastline and through the misty clouds to the moutains and landscape.  it was just beautiful!!  what an incredible place this country is!  we also spent a few hours walking around the town we are staying in - castle bar and got to experience it.

the 1st 8 things i'll remember!

1. the first smell we met upon exiting the airport - the first smell of ireland was..... manure. aha! yep tons of livestock, cows and sheep and horses EVERYWHERE!!

2. daffodils growing all along the roadsides!

3. we saw 2 rainbows on our drive!

4. driving is completely opposite here.  even the fast lane.  it's been an adventure watching the guys adjust to it all!

5. layers are a must, i packed wrong.  tshirts just won't do. everyone keeps their homes cool because utilities are sooooo expensive!

6. gas is 1.45 euro a liter. there is 4 liters to a gallon and about 1 1/2 dollars to the euro.  soo...what's the math on that.. GULP

7. the people are amazing! they hug and kiss you (the older ladies), they say "lovely" alot

8. st. patty's day is a national holiday - school is out! cool!

it's been fun, the kids tonight asked why we came here. they can't understand it.  but they, just like us, probably can tend to take their home for granted.  this is an amazing place!  loving it already.  just wish my hubby was well and i had water proof shoes and a few more hoodies :)  but God isgood and we are soo blessed!! like i told pastor peter today, i don't care what the weather is doing, i am in ireland!

Drama shoes brought :

So the past month or so I have been on an exhaustive and disheartening hunt.  My hopes would rise at a new prospect only to be dashed down again.  Failure after failure.  Even online shopping was proving futile!  I found a pair I thought I wanted but had never tried that brand before.  So I was hesitant.  I’m talking about my great shoe hunt.   I have a reoccurring struggle.  Since I wear my work shoes everyday they have a track record of wearing out in 4-6 months, if I’m lucky. 

My first mistake is buying the same brand over and over, only to have to buy another pair.  I now loath this brand that shall remain nameless.  So I scoured the valley and anchorage stores only to get even more disappointed. 

I decided to ask God to be on the lookout and to help me find a good deal, we’ve been trying to save as much as we can for Ireland.  So in the meantime my shoes I wear currently have begun to omit a slight order after a game of hacky sack or on my way home… yuck :P and have been stretched out so much they are too big, oh and the color is coming off.  Grrrrr

So today, the day we leave for Ireland, I decided to check the valley stores one more time in hopes of finding shoes for work and to wear in Ireland. Again I met with failure.  Then I decided, “okay God, I’m gonna go to Freddie’s and check.  And if there’s nothing there, I trust you to help me find shoes in Ireland.”  So I went in, not expecting much but with a little bit of hope.  I ended my search in the clearance department and was just about to give up when I caught a glimpse of these shoes.  Now I’m not one to find glory in a pair of shoes.  But these were just right.  They are a little euro looking but fit well and were on sale plus an extra 40% off! Whoot!!  I tried them on, walked around and began to thank God.  They are nothing fancy, and I will have to invest in some nice black work shoes pretty quick as well.  But these are an answer to prayer. 

See, it’s not about the shoes really.  It’s about being cared for and how God cares about these little details.  He knew I was frustrated and that I needed His help.  I choose to give God the credit for saving this pair of shoes; none like it were left, just for me.  I choose to praise God for caring about what I wear just as he cares about the sparrows.  Our God is so big and so great we often think that He doesn’t orchestrate such little seemingly silly things in our lives.  But He loves me and He wanted to bless my heart today.  I love my God. J 

So even if these shoes don’t work out, even if I end up having to return them(which I doubt), I will not forget how much God loves and provides for me.

He’s done it before.  I was a BROKE college student in Canada, homesick, sad, and needing a little pick me up.  “I want chocolate.”  I sighed.  Not 5 minutes later I found a chocolate bar in my coat pocket.  I sat down with a shocked yet choked deep breath.  It wasn’t the chocolate that comforted me, it was my God’s attention and love that caused me to leave that chocolate bar and forget about it only to find it just then.  My examples of God showing me He’s listening may seem small, but they mean that much more because they are so small.

This a great thing for me to think about as I get ready to set out to Ireland on this missions trip, a reminder that God has a great desire to take care of all the little details.  He LOVES to surprise us and show us He cares.  I can’t wait to see what He has in store for us. 

March in Spring and Only Good Things!

March's in my memory have been full.

Both my brother Luke and I have Birthdays, his on the 2^nd mine on the 30^th.

4 years ago my Grandpa passed away on the 1^st. 

Luke and Rachel got married on the 3^rd of that same year.

And I’ve had the opportunity to go on missions trips, due to spring break.  Mexico and now Ireland!

It’s so hard to believe that Ireland awaits us, only 8 days away.  It seems a dream at this point, hard to believe we’ll get to go to this country that brings up rich and wonderful expectations in me.  I can’t wait to see the countryside, fields full of sheep, stone walls, crashing oceans, windblown cliffs, maybe a real life castle ruin, to see the cobblestone streets of Dublin.  Even to experience the wind and rain, I want to feel what Ireland is like.  And I’m hoping I can get a taste of that in our short time there. 

I’ve just finished reading a book all about different parts of Ireland and the history and myths of this culturally rich country.  It seems a culture that thrives on storytelling.  Though we won’t be visiting the local pubs for a pint on our mission’s trip, I hope we can still get a taste of what it’s like to sit around swapping stories.

In other news!  I am just longing for spring!  This winter has been just horrid, especially following up after our summer of record rain.  4 big wind storms, 2 of which were hurricane force I’ve heard, one ice rain storm that stranded us at home due to roads or should I say ice trails.  I’ve never had a winter effect me so much as far as darkness goes either.  So yes… I am READY FOR SPRING!!

So, to hurry it along and to lift my spirits, I have planted an indoor herb garden!  I went out and bought little pots and paint and personalize and gave them each a personality.  Rosemary, basil, cilantro, and lavender!  They probably won’t pop up until April, but I am expectant.  Although I’ve just realized I will have to leave them to the care of my brother while we are gone. *cringes* Lord willing I won’t have to start from scratch J

I remember growing up in Big Lake spring (or break up as we called it) was a time of exploring and much anticipated hours on end of outdoors!  We would always get GIANT puddles on the roads around our house and we usually each had a pair of rubber boots.  I remember being able to venture into the deep puddles and feel the water push my boots tight to my thighs and the shock of freezing water when I got a little too greedy for the deepest parts of the puddle.  We would go tromping through the puddles before all the ice had melted.  We would create dams, throw rocks to see the splash and even shovel snow into the water to make it melt quicker.  Spring could never come soon enough!  Running through the woods wearing sneakers because we refused to acknowledge the clumps of snow that still hung on.  The glorious mudd pies we could create and pretend to dine upon.  Getting to run around with only a sweater or light jacket on was a thrill!  And of course the ever lengthening light that let us play longer into the evenings. 

Isn’t spring a wonderful thing?  I know that now (Almost 25 yikes!) I tend to forget that wonder and thrill and focus more on the ugly brown everywhere and that it’s still cold! Why is it that I can remember the different seasons when I was a kid better than I can now?  I can remember the way the air smelled those break up days playing in puddles and the way my fingers and hands would tingle when they got too cold.  I can’t remember much about last spring’s weather.  Granted I was distracted with being a new wife, but still!  I hope that this year I can really embrace the seasons and try to enjoy each in its turn.  I can’t wait to see the flowers bloom!  And the grass pop up fresh and green!  And that first drive through the s curves on Fairview with the wind blowing through the green leaves and the smell of summer coming in my open windows. 

But for now I will embrace the cold and look forward to this incredible experience waiting for us just across the pond!  Oh, did I mention, we’ll be in Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day!  What an experience!  I cannot wait! J